Tamil Nadu Hung Verdict: Can Vijay Secure 118 MLA Support?
Dramatic political developments are unfolding in Tamil Nadu politics. TVK chief Vijay had reportedly made all arrangements to take oath as Chief Minister on Thursday. However, he has not yet received the green signal from Tamil Nadu Governor Vishwanath Arlekar. The main reason behind this is that Vijay’s party does not have the required magic figure of 118 seats needed to form the government. According to the latest election results, TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats. However, since Vijay contested from two constituencies and won both, one seat will eventually be vacated, reducing the party’s effective strength to 107 MLAs. The Indian National Congress, which had contested alongside the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and won five seats in Tamil Nadu, has now announced support for TVK. With this, the total support for TVK has risen to 112 MLAs. Still, Vijay needs the backing of six more legislators to reach the majority mark.
The Communist parties have reportedly refused to move forward with Vijay. On the other hand, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has officially decided not to support him either. Meanwhile, the DMK has already expressed its readiness to sit in the opposition. This has triggered fresh uncertainty over who will eventually support Vijay. Sources say Governor Vishwanath Arlekar has made it clear that permission to form the new government will only be granted after a letter carrying the signatures of a majority of MLAs is submitted. During Vijay’s meeting with the Governor on Wednesday, he was reportedly told that the oath-taking ceremony could happen only after proving majority support.
However, TVK has requested an opportunity to form the government, assuring that it would prove its majority on the Assembly floor within two weeks. The Governor, however, is said to have rejected this argument and refused to allow the swearing-in without confirmed majority support. As a result, TVK was forced to cancel the oath-taking ceremony that had been planned for Thursday. In fact, the party had already completed all preparations and even finalized the auspicious timing for the ceremony. The latest developments have come as a major shock to Vijay and his supporters.
It has now become clear that the Governor will not administer the oath unless TVK demonstrates the support of at least 118 MLAs. The Indian Union Muslim League, which won two seats in Tamil Nadu, has also refused to support TVK. With this, Tamil Nadu politics has entered a highly dramatic phase. The biggest question now is how Vijay will secure the support he needs to form the government. Political circles are also discussing that the real political game of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Tamil Nadu may just be beginning.
